Filter Element Drain Closure for Multi-Seal Fluid Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter systems for fluids in internal combustion engines face challenges in efficiently draining and sealing the fluid during maintenance, often requiring multiple seals and closure elements that complicate the exchange process.
Innovation Solution
A filter element with integrated seal elements and a drain closure element that allows sequential draining of raw and clean fluids, using a single drain closure element that seals against multiple surfaces, facilitating easy exchange and re-use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate closure plugs with seals are used for draining raw and clean fluids, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate closure plugs (one for raw fluid drain opening, one for clean fluid drain opening) into a single integrated drain closure element. This element simultaneously seals against both the raw fluid drain opening in the filter housing and the clean fluid drain opening in the filter element, reducing the number of parts while maintaining sealing reliability through multiple integrated seal elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The single drain closure element performs multiple functions: it closes both the raw fluid drain opening and the clean fluid drain opening, and it incorporates multiple seal elements (first seal element against housing, second seal element against filter element) to handle different sealing requirements. This multi-functional design simplifies the maintenance process while ensuring reliable sealing.
2Reliability
If multiple separate closure plugs with seals are used for draining raw and clean fluids, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple closure operations into a single drain closure element, the patent enables maintenance personnel to service both drain openings simultaneously with one removal action, significantly simplifying the exchange process while maintaining reliable sealing through the integrated multi-seal design.
3Reliability
If multiple seal elements are distributed across separate closure elements, then sealing coverage is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple seal elements (first seal element for raw fluid side, second seal element for clean fluid side) into a single drain closure element assembly. This allows all seal elements to be replaced simultaneously in one maintenance operation, improving ease of repair while maintaining comprehensive sealing coverage across both drain openings.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter element has a filter medium surrounding an element interior and an end plate connected to an axial end of the filter medium. The end plate has an element drain opening to the element interior and a first seal element, surrounding the element drain opening and oriented radially inwardly. The element drain opening is closable or is closed by a drain closure element arranged at a filter housing. The first seal element contacts sealingly a first seal surface of the drain closure element. The end plate has a receiving portion surrounding the element drain opening and provided with a second seal element seal-tightly contacting a seal surface of the filter housing. The receiving portion has a third seal element sealingly contacting a second seal surface of the drain closure element. A filter system has such a filter element and such a drain closure element.